The Skoda Octavia Estate will become a central focus for the Matrix Fitness team, which is based near Motiva’s headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent and led by double Olympic champion Laura Trott.

Peter Wright, sales director at Motiva Group, said: “Matrix are among the strongest teams, not only in this country but in Europe, and we’re delighted to be offering our support.

“Johnson Health Tech, which owns the Matrix brand of fitness equipment, is one of our customers and it was they who suggested we get involved with the team.

“We were happy to help out by supplying them with a new car for the forthcoming season and we’ll follow their performances closely.”

The keys to the vehicle, branded with the Motiva Group logo, were formally handed over at the company’s headquarters.

The car has already been to events in France and to the team’s first major UK event at Virginia Water in Surrey. 

Team director Stefan Wyman said: “The team car is central to the operation of a successful cycling outfit, so we’re delighted that Motiva Group are helping us out.

“We’re very proud of our Stoke-on-Trent roots, so it’s great to know we have such strong support from a local company which feels very much the same way.”